Kilted musicians pipe up tonight

Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guards

Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Heinz Hall

$20, $34, $42… Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guards

Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Heinz Hall

$20, $34, $42

All ages

(412) 392-4900

This evening, if you happen to see men in kilts or bearskin hats marching through Downtown Pittsburgh, don’t be afraid. The Three Rivers is not being invaded by the British Army.

Rather, they were invited here by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for one night only, the premier Pittsburgh performance of The Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guards, both highly acclaimed British military bands, at Heinz Hall.

The Black Watch is a fully operational infantry regiment of the British Army. Their official name is the Royal Highland Regiment, but the nickname of Black Watch has stuck because of the traditional uniform of the regiment, a dark blue and green tartan that can appear black from a distance.

The 94-member band of the regiment, The Black Watch Pipes and Drums, is noted for its precision and skill during performances, in which it plays the music of England, Ireland and Scotland.

The Welsh Guards belongs to the Guard Divisions of the British Army, the forces given the special task of guarding Buckingham Palace. They are the soldiers in the tall, furry hats seen during the Changing of the Guard ceremony where the regiment’s band usually plays. In addition to standing guard over the royal family, the Welsh Guard also have the distinction of having appeared with such large orchestras as The Royal Philharmonic and the Halle Orchestra.

In addition to the feast for the ears provided by the Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guards, the 1st Battalion Highland Dancers will also be performing to add some extra visual stimulation.

The fact that the forces of The Black Guard and the Band of the Welsh Guards are not invading Heinz Hall for long should give all Pittsburghers incentive to get out and welcome the occupying forces, showing them how Pittsburgh greets its neighbors from across the pond.

For more information or tickets, contact The Box Office at Theater Square located at Heinz Hall by calling (412) 392-4900 or go to the Web site at www.pgharts.com.